Speech Pathology Programs in New Hampshire - NH

How to Become a Speech-Language Pathologist in New Hampshire

EducationStudents interested in becoming Speech-Language Pathologists in New Hampshire can start preparing for their careers during their last two years of high school. They should pair classes in human biology, psychology, and sociology classes to gain a comprehensive understanding of how internal and external factors affect the brain and speech mechanisms. Students should also consider taking a foreign language, as these classes will also help them understand phonetics and language acquisition issues.

When students choose an undergraduate college, they should look for an institution that is approved by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. These colleges provide students with access to speech, hearing and learning laboratories, and offer them with opportunities for advancement through hands-on learning and professional organizations. Some programs may even combine speech pathology and audiology students together, providing students with a broader scope of the field.

If students in New Hampshire plan to pursue speech pathology graduate programs from the same university, they should study specialties within a field and choose a program that suits their interests and academic goals. Master's degree programs delve deeper into the specifics of the speech pathology field, providing students with hands-on experience and theoretical study. Students should look for programs accredited by ASHA and the U.S. Department of Education.

ExaminationNew Hampshire requires its Speech-Language Pathologists to take the National Examination for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (PRAXIS Exam) as a condition of initial State licensure. PRAXIS licenses Speech-Language-Pathologists to practice nationally, and should be completed after students finish their nine-month clinical externship. The State does not require students to take a jurisprudence exam as a condition of licensure.

Clinical Practice and State LicensingThe State requires its Speech-Language Pathologists to gain 300 hours of supervised clinical practicum experience and nine months of supervised postgraduate experience before they apply for licensure. Applicants should keep a verified record of their hours while they satisfy this requirement, and take the PRAXIS exam immediately after.

Once applicants have passed PRAXIS, obtained a graduate degree, and have gained enough supervised experience for licensure, they must provide the State with an application, a verified record of their experience, official transcripts, and their official test scores. Applicants receive their licenses six to eight weeks after they apply.